Unfortunately, your situation is one of the reasons why I suggest that people look at the actual lab slip before leaving the doctor's office.

So many doctors make the mistake of ordering the wrong tests.

FreeT3 usually looks like this on a lab slip: tri-iodothyronine, free, serum.

That T3 uptake test is useless - it's actually a calculation based upon the FreeT4 level.

So, sorry to say but, once again, you don't have information that will tell you whether or not your Cytomel dose is appropriate.

Now, in regards to what you've posted as a T4 result - I can tell that it is the preferred FreeT4 (thank goodness) based upon the ranges.

Your FreeT4 level of 1.70 is 65% of range.....that might be good for you - it might not be good for you.

Most healthy people have FreeT4 levels around 60-80% of range.

Some people need their level a bit higher (I'm one of them - I need my FreeT4 at least 95% of range) and some people feel best with their level right at mid-range.

You were reporting hypo symptoms earlier so, there's a chance you might need a higher FreeT4 level. But, again, without knowing your FreeT3 level, there's no way of knowing if that level is too high or too low for you.

Best of luck with the new doctor!

I know CD and he usually takes the Free T3. He told me to go on my prior dose due to my cholesterol going off on 112 synthroid and 12.t cytomel. I told him to test both but he didn't. :( Why I will never know??? He gave me the name of an endo he likes and I researched one on vitals and healthgrade that has excellent reviews. I am hopeful she will understand that I can't be hyper. When they lower the dose I get worse. Now I have more joint pain, a sore throat, and I am so sick of them not listening to me!!!

He told me not to play with the medication and that I should go back on other dose until I see endo. I am bringing what I have and showing them what happens when they lower my dose. Oh and the best is when they put me on the lower dose, my TSH went lower then on the higher dose. I just don't get this!!! Now my cholesterol is off! Lets pray they doctor has a brain with common sense and compassion.

Oh and as always thanks for all your help! you're the best!!!!

Who the heck knows why you didn't get the FreeT3 test. Maybe he checked the wrong box on the lab slip....maybe the lab people entered it wrong in their computer.

I've had this happen as well but, it only happened once. I now check the lab slip and confirm with the lab tech. It's just too important to me.

I hope the endo is good, too. Unfortunately, many of them get good reviews because of their success with diabetics. You will know soon enough based upon the conversation you have during your first appointment. There are some endos out there that do "get thyroid".

I couldn't agree more with your doctor about not playing with your dose. It's important to be on the same page with the doctor.

If the doctor won't get on the same page, it's time to find another doctor.

Your experience with your TSH is yet another reason why TSH should not be used to judge thyroid status.

I'm not sure if I shared this PubMed article with you so, sorry if a repeat:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12915350?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed

You will note that the final sentence reads:

"TSH determination is diagnostically misleading and only free hormone measurements are reliable for thyroid function assessment."

It's not uncommon for cholesterol to elevate if the patient's thyroid hormone levels (FreeT3 and/or FreeT3) are too low for their needs.

This just keeps driving home the point that doctors should be medicating based upon the FreeT4 and FreeT3 levels and doses should be adjusted to help the patient achieve the types of levels healthy people have: FreeT4/T3 in the upper half/upper third of the range.

This stuff is found in thyroid textbooks.....I just don't know why so many doctors don't seem to be aware of it.

You know I'm happy to help and I wish you the utmost success with the new doctor.

Good answer cd, I hope my Dr. is doing the right tests. I'll know in Feb.

Dee